Triumphrat

Dogma · 02-11-2006

For those of you who had owned a previous sprint 01' thru 04' and had purchased the newer model. What is your likes and dislikes about the diiferent models? What I am getting at is the thought of selling my current sprint and purchasing a newer model. :-D

welshrob · 02-12-2006

I`ve had a couple of fairly long test rides on the new ST, It`s a top bike, it really is. I`m not sure it really fits in with my own personal biking needs. I do a fair bit of 2 up touring, I don`t think it`s as comfortable as the earlier ST`s. My wife hated the pillion seat and was squirming after 30 mins. I`d call it `a sports bike that it`s possible to tour on` rather than a sports tourer. I also like to spend my days off scratching on twisty mountain roads, if I stopped touring, I think I`d get a Daytona 955. It`s lighter, faster, has more HP, better handling, better front end and (in Australia) it`s cheaper than the 1050 sprint. I could always chuck some throwovers on it for the occasional trip away. A lot of people on here DO find the 1050 sprint comfortable, it will depend on your height/weight/age etc. but it won`t work for me, I`m afraid.

[ This message was edited by: welshrob on 2006-02-11 23:29 ]

ST-ern · 02-12-2006

The diff was described by a dealer down here as 'evolutionary'.

He liked it cos it has a smaller screen and his upper body started to 'plane' at legal speeds. He was about 5' 9".

As always, the question is better at what and for whom?

RexxyPup · 02-12-2006

I agree totally with WelshRob. I got to take the test bike out for the best part of a day.... they needed something picking up, and I happened to be there with my drivers license :-D !

It is a better bike to ride hard solo on, but after the day my wrists, and particularly the back of my neck were very sore. I've been doing some hard thinking about this, but the math just doesn't add up....

I have a fairly loaded '04 to do the same sort of thing as WelshRob (BTW are you wanting those transfers; I mailed you, but I'm not sure you got it?) and to get the same kit on the new bike would cost nearly £5k on top of the trade in value of mine. I've decided that for half that, I can sort the front and rear suspension, and when I come out of warranty I can fit a turbo kit for a little more urge. £2.5k less to do and still all the comfort and practicality!

Having said that, I would still like the ABS!

Rexx

welshrob · 02-12-2006

Mark, yes I`m still interested in the transfers, I`ll be visiting the UK from 11th of March till the 27th. I still don`t know how much they cost, maybe I can pick them up while I`m over there? Drop me a PM or an e-mail. Thanks.

rodneybrown · 02-12-2006

I think you are going to be hard pressed to get a good answer on this one. If you sold an excellent bike and got one with "issues" would you admit to yourself you made a mistake? Then again if you had an RS maybe you were sportbike wannabe and the new one is really what you wanted. I love my 02 and don't care too much for the looks of the 05+. Also, I don't see that much street improvement for a sport tourer, track yes, but street not really. This is a case where you are just going to have to make up your own mind.

triumphite · 02-12-2006

I had a 2001 Sprint ST(28,000 miles)), traded it in for a 2005 Sprint ST..

I should not have done it.

The new Sprint is good, but no better than the old one. I don't go any farther. I don't go any faster. I don't carry any more luggage. Nothing changed except my monthly payment.

Before you buy, ask yourself "why"

Other than design and the "newness" of it, what will change?

I should have kept the old one and put 70,000 miles on it, sell it on ebay, then find a used 2005 Sprint with a few thousand miles on it.

If you flip through my album you'll see the old and new one.

Good luck. I hoped that helped.

dolson · 02-12-2006

I was jonesing for a new one at the time they came out.

I decided to keep my '02 because there really isn't that many miles on her and she does everything I've ever asked. Willingly and cheerfully. To me she has a soul.

Like an ever faithful dog she's been there.

So, I'll keep her.

If I didn't have her already, I'd get the '5 in a heartbeat.

Don

AZWildcat · 02-12-2006

I purchased an 05 with the intent of selling my 99 when I had completed the break in miles on the 05. I was expecting the 05 to be a further development of the previous generation. The 99 was exactly what I wanted a sport tourer to be but with just a few minor flaws. I was hoping the new bike would have an improved suspension and a few more toys like the trip computer etc, along with an updated look.

To my disappointment, Triumph has taken a different approach. They have built a bike that to me is not a sport tourer at all. It is a reasonably comfortable second tier sport bike. More power but at the expensive of the character in the 955 motor. A truly second grade suspension, a complete lack of storage space without the bags. I do think that they got the styling right although I get far more complements on the look of the 99 than the new one.

As other here have said, it is all about personal taste, preferences and expectations. I like the 05 Sprint but I will be keeping the 99 and selling the new one.

FishHuntRide · 02-12-2006

Over the past several years I had toyed with the idea of getting a ST and test drove them on more than one occasion. But, the old model just didn't do it for me. It looked dated and not particularly interesting and it seemed a bit under powered.

However, it was a nice enough ride and as some have suggested, it may be equal to or better for touring than the new ST. That depends on you, your size, if you use hard bags (I don't), and on your definition of "touring" and "sport touring" really.

Along comes the new ST and one long test ride and I bought one. It looked modern, fit me well (6'4"), ran stronger and although I knew the suspension would need work, I typically do that anyway being a larger rider than for how bikes are setup. It is comfortable for me and I have done several 500+ mile days (stock seat and bars). It also does quite nicely in "sport mode" as well.

It really comes down to what you like looks wise, how you ride, if you care to spend the money, etc. Right now I'm trying to decide if I can swing getting the new 675 Daytona to go with my ST and RC51...